Cover for circular-profile downspouts having protection from animal/insect intrusion and damage/debris accumulation

ABSTRACT

A downspout end cover protects and closes a lower end of a cylindrical rain gutter downspout assembly. The cover includes a body that forms a continuous hollow channel for passage of collected rainwater. An aperture at the back of the body is sized to attach to the downspout, and a front cylindrical or oval aperture emits collected rainwater. A door is rotatably attached to the front of the body at a top of the front of the body by a hinge and when closed, prevents entry of animals, insects or blown debris. The front of the body may be sloped and the door may rest against an inset ledge that protects the door and seals the downspout end cover against entry of insects and preventing detachment of the door from the body. The hinge may be offset from the back surface of the door by an arm.

This U.S. Patent Application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/897,476, filed on Aug. 29, 2022, and claimspriority thereto under 35 U.S.C. §120. U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/897,476, claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/323,873, filed on May 18, 2021. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/897,476, U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/323,873, and the instant U.S. Patent Application thereby, claimbenefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/179,040,filed on Apr. 23, 2021 under 35 U.S.C. §119(e). The disclosures of eachof the above-captioned U.S. Patent Applications are incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to rainwater gutter systems, andin particular, to a cover for a circular-profile downspout end thatincorporates protection from animal/insect intrusion and damage/debrisaccumulation.

2. Description of the Related Art:

In order to keep pests and small animals out of rainwater guttersystems, downspout end covers, such as the one disclosed in U.S. DesignPatents D301,164 and D882,045 have been implemented to close the bottomend of downspouts in rainwater gutter systems.

However, such downspout end covers are susceptible to damage by poweredlandscape maintenance tools such as string trimmers or leaf blowers,which can cause doors to be detached from the downspout end covers ordamage to the doors or cover housings so that the door will not close oropen properly. Additionally, such doors typically are not proof fromintrusion by insects. Finally, debris, which may be scattered bylawnmowers, string trimmers and leaf blowers can cause the doors not tofunction properly.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a downspout end cover withreduced susceptibility to damage from line trimmers, while preventinganimal and insect intrusion, and also preventing debris accumulation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above objectives, among others, are achieved in a downspout endcover, rainwater gutter downspout systems including the downspout endcover, and a method of assembling the downspout end cover.

In some embodiments, the downspout end cover protects and closes a lowerend of a rain gutter downspout assembly, and includes a body with acircular or oval cross-sectional profile that forms a continuous hollowcylindrical channel for passage of collected rainwater, wherein and aback of the body forms a first aperture sized to fit a cross-sectionprofile of an end of a cylindrical downspout. The front of the bodyforms a second aperture to permit exit of collected rainwater. A door isrotatably attached to the front of the body at a top of the front of thebody by a hinge, so that in a closed position, the door prevents entryof insects or blown debris and opens under a force of weight from thecollected rainwater to permit exit of the collected rainwater.

In some embodiments, an inner ledge is formed on an inner surface of thebody at a front of the body and forms an extension into the channel in adirection parallel to the door when the door is in the closed position.The inner ledge is inset from a front edge of the second aperture by atleast a thickness of the door, so that the door rests against the innerledge when the door is in the closed position to seal the downspout endcover against entry of insects and the door is recessed within thesecond aperture to protect the door from being damaged or detached fromthe body the downspout end cover protects and closes a lower end of arain

In some embodiments, the hinge includes a cylindrical axle formed insidethe channel and extending between inner surfaces of ends of the ledgealong an inner surface of the body at the top edge of the body, and apartial cylindrical knuckle formed on the door that detachably acceptsthe cylindrical axle through an open radial sector of the partialcylindrical knuckle to complete the hinge. The partial cylindricalknuckle may be attached to the door by an arm that displaces the topedge door forward from the cylindrical axle, so that the hinge isrecessed within the channel, and the arm may connect to a back surfaceof the door at a bevel formed in the back surface of the door, so thatthe arm is inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to a front surfaceof the door, so that debris does not accumulate at the hinge.

The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following, more particular,description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustratedin the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are setforth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well asa preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof,will best be understood by reference to the following detaileddescription of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate likecomponents, and:

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example downspout system 20 inaccordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view of example downspout system 20 of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a side view of example downspout system 20 of FIG. 2 , whilerainwater is exiting, in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an example downspout system 20B in accordancewith another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a side view of example downspout system 20B of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 6A is a front upper right perspective view of an example downspoutcover 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6B is a front upper right perspective view of an example downspoutcover 10A in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7A is a rear lower left perspective view of an example door 14 ofexample downspout cover 10 in accordance with another embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 7B is a rear lower left perspective view of a body 12 of exampledownspout cover 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7C is a rear left perspective view of an example door 14A ofexample downspout cover 10A in accordance with another embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 7D is a rear left perspective view of a body 12A of exampledownspout cover 12A in accordance with another embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 8A is a side cross-section view of example downspout cover 10 ofFIG. 6A, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8B is a side view of example door of example downspout cover 10 ofFIG. 6A, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8C is a front view of, and FIG. 8D is a right perspective view of,example body 12 of example downspout cover 10 of FIG. 6A, in accordancewith an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9A is a front upper right perspective view of an example downspoutcover 10B in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9B is a front upper right perspective view of an example downspoutcover 10C in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10A is a rear left perspective view of an example downspout cover10B in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10B is a rear left perspective view of a body of an exampledownspout cover 10C in accordance with another embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 11A is a front upper left perspective view of an example downspoutcover 40 in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 11B is a transparent side view of example downspout cover 40 inaccordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 11C is a transparent perspective view of body 42 of exampledownspout cover 40 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 12A is a rear of body 42 of example downspout cover 40 of FIGS.11A-11C, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 12B is a front view of body 42 of example downspout cover 40 ofFIGS. 11A-11C, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 13A is a front view of an example door 44 of example downspoutcover 40 of FIGS. 11A-11C, in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 13B is a side view of example door 44 of example downspout cover 40of FIGS. 11A-11C, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 13C is a rear left perspective view of example door 44 of exampledownspout cover 40 of FIGS. 11A-11C, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 14A is a front left perspective view of body 42 of exampledownspout cover 40 of FIGS. 11A-11C, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 14B is a side view of body 42 of example downspout cover 40 ofFIGS. 11A-11C, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 14B is a side view of body 42 of example downspout cover 40 ofFIGS. 11A-11C, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT

The present disclosure illustrates rainwater guttering systems withdownspout end covers that have improved resistance to damage andanimal/insect incursion. The downspout end covers include a body that isshaped to accept the lower end of a downspout elbow and include an insetdoor, so that the edge of the body around the door prevents damage to,or detachment of, the door. The front face of the body may be inclinedrearward at an angle of approximately 50 degrees, e.g., in a rangebetween 52.5 and 57.5 degrees, so that when the downspout end cover isattached to a standard “75 degree” elbow, which actually has a 105degree bend, and when the elbow is mounted to a downspout alignedperpendicular to the ground, a plane of the door will be inclined atapproximately 5 degrees (e.g., 2.5-7.5 degrees) perpendicular to theground, so that any rainwater introduced from the elbow will open thedoor, but the door will be restored to the closed position and retainedin place by the weight of the door.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , a front view of an example installation of anexample downspout system 20 is shown, in accordance with an embodimentof the disclosure. Example downspout system 20 includes a downspout 24that is attached to an elbow 22 with an end covered by downspout endcover 10, which is sized to fit the ends of elbow 22 which is aso-called “Type A” elbow and has the same cross section as downspout 24.Illustrated downspout 24 is a standard 2″×3″ downspout and illustratedelbow 22 is a standard 2″×3″ type-A elbow, but downspout system 20,excepting the specific aspect ratio of horizontal-to-verticaldimensions, is representative of installations of 3″×4″ downspoutsystems, as well. Downspout end cover 10 is configured to accept a 2″×3″profile in order to fit elbow 22. For a 3″×4″ profile, a differentdownspout end cover 10A that is configured to accept a 3″×4″ profile isillustrated below with reference to FIG. 6B.

Referring now to FIG. 2 , a side view of an example installation ofdownspout system 20 is shown, illustrating the alignment of a front faceof downspout end cover 10 so that the front edge of downspout end cover10 is aligned 5 degrees away from perpendicular to ground. FIG. 3 showsdownspout end cover 10 open while emitting collected rainwater, withdoor 14 open to allow the water to flow out. After all of the water hasbeen emitted, door 14 returns to a recessed position within downspoutend cover 10, as illustrated in FIG. 2 .

Referring now to FIG. 4 , a front view of another example installationof another downspout system 20B is shown, including downspout 24B thatis attached to an elbow 22B, with an end covered by a downspout endcover 10B that is sized to fit the end of elbow 22B, which has the samecross section as downspout 24B. Downspout 24B has the same cross sectionas downspout 24 of FIG. 1 , but the mounting position differs in thatdownspout 24B is mounted with a short side abutting the wall, so elbow22B is a so-called “Type B” elbow that has a greater vertical dimensionthan horizontal dimension. Therefore, downspout end cover 10B isconfigured to accept a 3″×2″ profile. Downspout system 22B is alsoillustrative of Type-B elbow installations that have a 4″×3″ profile,excepting the specific aspect ratio of horizontal-to-verticaldimensions, and a downspout end cover 10C, illustrated in FIG. 9Bdescribed below, is configured for a type-B elbow installations having a4″×3″ profile.

Referring now to FIG. 5 , a side view of another example installation ofdownspout system 20B is shown, illustrating the alignment of a frontface of downspout end cover 10B so that the front edge of downspout endcover 10B is aligned 5 degrees away from perpendicular to ground.

Referring now to FIG. 6A, a perspective view of an example downspout endcover 10 is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.Door 14 is in the closed position and is partially recessed within abody 12 of downspout end cover 10, so that the outer edge 15 of body 12around door 14 will protect door 14 from damage and/or detachment ofdoor 14, when, for example, downspout end cover 10 is struck by atrimmer line. FIG. 6B shows a perspective view of other exampledownspout end cover 10A, in accordance with another embodiment of thedisclosure, with door 14A recessed at the front of a body 12A ofdownspout end cover 10A. The components of downspout end cover 10 and10A, along with other downspout end covers 10B and 10C, as disclosed andshown herein are generally injection-molded from a durable andultraviolet (UV)-resistant plastic such as acrylic, high-densitypolyethylene (HDPE) or polycarbonate (PC), but may alternatively beinjection-molded or cast from other plastics such as acrylonitrilesbutadiene styrene (ABS), or in some applications may be formed frommetal or another material.

Referring now to FIG. 7A, details of door 14 are shown. A partialcylindrical hinge knuckle 13 is formed on an extension 34 from a bevel15 of an inner face of door 14, which shifts an axis of a hinge formedin part by knuckle 13 rearward and upward from the inner face of door14. Referring now to FIG. 7B, details of body 12 are shown. Acylindrical axle 11 forms another part of the door hinge, around whichpartial cylindrical knuckle 13 is detachably fitted during assembly, tosecure door 14 to body 12. A stop 16, is provided at the rearward end ofan inner channel of body 12 which locates and aligns an end of a type-Aelbow inserted into the back aperture of body 12, Screw holes 18 areprovided for attachment of body 12 to a 2″×3″ type-A elbow (or downspoutsection in some possible installations) by screws. As mentioned above,the height h of a back aperture of body 12A is nominally 2″ and thewidth w is nominally 3″, to accommodate the end of a 2″×3″ type-A elbow.

Referring now to FIG. 7C and FIG. 7D, details of door 14 and body 12 areshown, respectively, in accordance with another example embodiment ofthe disclosure. The features of door 14A and body 12A are similar tothose of door 14 and body 12 as described above with reference to FIG.7A and FIG. 7B, so only differences between them are described below.Door 14A also has a knuckle 13A provided on an extension 34A from abevel 15A formed on an inner face of door 14A and body 12A also has astop 16A, which is provided at the rearward end of an inner channel ofbody 12A and a hinge axle 11A formed in an upper portion of body 12Abehind a top of door 14A. A rear aperture of body 12A is sized toaccommodate a 3″×4″ type-A elbow. As mentioned above, the height hA of aback aperture of body 12 is nominally 3″ and the width WA is nominally4″, to accommodate the end of a 3″×4″ type-A elbow.

Referring now to FIG. 8A, details of example downspout cover 10 areshown in a side cross-section view, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe disclosure. While example downspout end cover 10 is illustrated, theillustration applies similarly to the other embodiments describedherein, with the appropriate changes in dimension to accommodate thedifferent elbow/gutter sizes and orientations. As described above, edge30 that extends completely around door 14 protects door 14 from impactby trimmer lines and other damage, because door 14 is recessedcompletely behind edge 15 and rests on ledge 32. The incline a of door14 and the front of body 12 is 50 degrees in the example (α=50 degrees),but other suitable angles sufficient to retain door behind edge 15 withgravity without posing restriction of rainwater may be used (e.g.,52.5-57.5 degrees). Stop 16 is shown at the end of a channel 19 formedbetween through the front aperture provided through ledge 32. Theposition of ledge extension 32A is also shown, as well as the positionof axle 15 behind door 14.

Referring now to FIG. 8B, details of example door 14 are shown. Theangle β of bevel 15 is, in the example, 15 degrees with respect to theplane of the front face of door 14 and the angle γ along extension 34 toknuckle 13 from the inner face of door 14 is 110 degrees. a beveled area14A across the bottom of door 14 and extending partially along the sidesof door 14 is inclined at angle α, so that the bottom of door 14 doesnot bind against edge 30 of body 12 and provides a bottom face of doorthat is parallel to the inner surface of edge 30.

Referring now to FIG. 8C and FIG. 8D, a front view and a rightperspective view of example body 12 are shown, respectively, inaccordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. An extent t₁ of ledge32 into channel 19 is visible, as is the increased extension t₂ of ledge32A in the vicinity of the hinge, i.e., along the top portion of theinner surface of example body 12. In FIG. 8D the position of axle 11 isshown with respect to increased extension 32A.

Referring now to FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, a perspective views of exampledownspout end covers 10B and 10C are shown, in accordance with otherembodiments of the disclosure. Downspout end covers 10B and 10C aresimilar to downspout end covers 10 and 10A of FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, soonly differences between them are described below. Downspout end covers10B and 10C are sized to accept “Type B” elbows that have a greatervertical dimension than their horizontal dimension. Therefore, downspoutend cover 10B is configured to accept a 4″×3″ profile and downspout endcover 10C is configured to accept a 3″×2″ profile (width w_(c)=2″,height h_(c)=3″, with the larger dimension extending between a top andbottom of downspout end covers 10B, 10C, rather than between the sidesof downspout end covers 10B, 10C.

Referring now to FIG. 10A and 10B, details of a door 14B and body 12B ofdownspout end cover 10B are shown, respectively, in accordance withexample embodiments of the disclosure. Referring also to FIG. 9C and 9D,details of a door 14C and body 12C of downspout end cover 10C are shown,respectively, in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure.The features of doors 14B, 14C and bodies 12B, 12C are similar to thoseof door 14A and body 12A as described above with reference to FIG. 8Aand FIG. 8B, so only differences between them are described below. Asmentioned above, downspout end covers 10B and 10C are sized to accept“Type B” elbows that have a greater vertical dimension than theirhorizontal dimension. Therefore, body 12B is configured to accept a3″×2″ profile and downspout end cover 12C is configured to accept a4″×3″ profile, with the larger dimension extending between a top andbottom of bodies 10B, 10C, rather than between the sides of bodies 10B,10C.

Referring now to FIG. 11A, a front upper left perspective view of anexample downspout cover 40 is shown, in accordance with anotherembodiment of the disclosure. Example downspout cover 40 has a circularor oval cross-section to match and attach to a downspout having acircular or oval cross-section profile. Otherwise, the functions andgeometries of example downspout cover 40 are similar to those describedabove for downspout end cover 10 of FIG. 6A, so only differences betweenthem will described in detail below. A door 44 is in the closed positionand is partially recessed within a body 42 of downspout end cover 40,and rests on an inner ledge 52, so that an outer edge 50 of body 42around door 44 will protect door 44 from damage and/or detachment ofdoor 44, when, for example, downspout end cover 40 is struck by atrimmer line. Door 44 is attached with a hinge 41 similar to thatdescribed above for downspout end cover 10 of FIG. 6A. Holes 48 areprovided on each side of downspout end cover 40 for securing downspoutend cover 40 to a cylindrical downspout with screws. The components ofdownspout end cover 40, as with the other downspout end covers describedabove are generally injection-molded from a durable and ultraviolet(UV)-resistant plastic such as acrylic, high-density polyethylene (HDPE)or polycarbonate (PC), but may alternatively be injection-molded or castfrom other plastics such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or insome applications may be formed from metal or another material.

Referring now to FIG. 11B, is a transparent side view of exampledownspout cover 40 is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure. As described above, an edge 50 of the front of body 42extends completely around door 44 and protects door 44 from impact bytrimmer lines and other damage, because door 44 is recessed completelybehind edge 50 and rests on ledge 52. The incline α₁ of door 44 and thefront of body 42 is 50 degrees in the example (α=50 degrees), but othersuitable angles sufficient to retain door behind edge 50 with gravitywithout posing restriction of rainwater may be used (e.g., 52.5-57.5degrees). A stop 46 is shown at the end of a channel 49 formed by thehollow passage through the cylindrical or oval cross-section of body 42extends through the front aperture provided through ledge 52. Theposition of ledge extension 52A is also shown, as well as the positionof a hinge axle 41A behind door 44.

Referring now to FIG. 11C, a transparent perspective view of body 42 ofexample downspout cover 40 is shown, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe disclosure. Positions and shapes of hinge axle 41A and stop 46 areillustrated, as well as the shape of inner ledge 52 and the extension ofledge 52A that expands the width of ledge 52 in the vicinity of hinge 41to block gaps that would otherwise be present around door 44 at a top ofbody 42 due to the presence of hinge 41. Referring now to FIG. 12A, arear view of body 42 of example downspout cover 40 of FIGS. 11A-11C isshown, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The shape andposition of stop 46 is visible and the shape and position of hinge axle41A. Referring now to FIG. 12B, a front view of body 42 of exampledownspout cover 40 of FIGS. 11A-11C is shown, in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure. The shape and position of hinge axle 41Ais visible and the shape and position of inner ledge 52, and theexpanded extension of inner ledge 52 in the vicinity of hinge axle 41A.Inner ledge 52, including extension 52A extends to hinge 41, to providea seal between door 44 and body 42, for prevention of intrusion ofinsects or flying debris, as described above. In the depictedembodiment, the outer edge of inner ledge 52 in the region of extension52A, terminates at an angle θ on each side of a mid-line of body 42,which in the example is 40 degrees, so that the extension of inner ledgearound door 44 in the example is 280 degrees, or just greater than 75percent of the perimeter of the circular cross-section profile of body42 and circular shape of door 44, in the example, although in otherembodiments, angle θ may be less than or greater than 40 degrees, forexample, within a range between 90 and 10 degrees, depending on the sizeof hinge 41 and the amount of height needed for inner ledge 52 to extendabove the bottom of body 42. Within angle θ, features of hinge provideadditional blocking of the gap between edge 50 and door 44.

Referring now to FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B, a front view and a side view,respectively, of example door 44 of example downspout cover 40 of FIGS.11A-11C are shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Apartial cylindrical hinge knuckle 45 is formed on an extension providedat the end of a bevel 47 of an inner face of door 44, which shifts anaxis of hinge 41, which is formed in part by extension of hinge knuckle45 rearward and upward from the inner face of door 44 and the securingof hinge axle 41A (not shown) within a central void 43A of hinge knuckle45. The angle γ₂ along extension 47 to hinge knuckle 45 with from theinner face of door 44 is 110 degrees. A beveled area 44A extends aroundthe bottom of door 44, extends partially around an edge 49 of door 44,e.g., ⅙ of the perimeter of the edge of door 44 on each side of door 44extending from the bottommost part of the edge of door. Beveled area 44Ais inclined at angle α₂, so that the bottom of door 44 does not bindagainst edge 50 of body 42 and provides a bottom face of door that isparallel to the inner surface of edge 50. Referring now to FIG. 13C, arear left perspective view of example door 44 of example downspout cover40 of FIGS. 11A-11C, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.Details of hinge knuckle 43 and central void 43A of hinge knuckle 43 arevisible, along with the extension of beveled area around edge 49 of door44.

Referring now to FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B, a front left perspective viewand a side view of body 42 of example downspout cover 40 of FIGS.11A-11C are shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG. 14B shows the incline of the front face of body 42, which is thesame as for the rectangular embodiments described above. FIG. 14Aillustrates the shape and features of inner ledge 52 and outer edge 50at the front face of body 42.

In summary, this disclosure shows and describes downspout end covers,systems including the downspout end covers, and methods of assembling adownspout end cover. The downspout end covers may protect and close alower end of a rain gutter downspout assembly, and in some embodimentsinclude a body having a top, a bottom extending parallel to the top anda pair of parallel sides, wherein the sides extend perpendicular to andare contiguous with the top and the bottom and form a continuous hollowchannel with the top and the bottom for passage of collected rainwater.In other embodiments, the body may have a circular or ovalcross-sectional profile that provides the continuous hollow channel forpassage of collected rainwater. A back of the body may form a firstaperture sized to fit a cross-section profile of an end of the downspoutand the front of the body may form a second aperture to permit exit ofcollected rainwater. The front of the body that forms a front of thesecond aperture may be sloped at an acute angle with respect to a bottomof the continuous hollow channel and may extend from the bottom edge tothe top edge of the body. The downspout end covers may also include adoor rotatably attached to the front of the body at a top of the frontof the body by a hinge, so that in a closed position, the door preventsentry of insects or blown debris and opens under a force of weight fromthe collected rainwater to permit exit of the collected rainwater.

In some embodiments, an inner ledge may be formed on an inner surface ofthe body at the front of the body and may form an extension into thechannel that is inclined at the acute angle. The inner ledge may extendcontinuously around the inner surface of the body from the bottom edgeof the vody, so that an interior face of the door may rest against afront face of the inner ledge around the inner surface of the body whenthe door is in the closed position and may form a seal with the frontface of the inner ledge to seal the downspout end cover against entry ofinsects. The inner ledge may be inset from a front edge of the secondaperture by at least a thickness of the door, so that an exterior faceof the door does not protrude beyond the front of the body and so thatthe door is recessed within the second aperture to protect the door frombeing damaged or detached from the body.

In some embodiments, the front of the body of the downspout end covermay be sloped at an angle of between 52.5 and 57.5 degrees extendingfrom the bottom edge to the top edge of the body, so that a first widthof the sides at the top edge of the body or a length of the body is lessthan a second width of the sides or a length of the body at the bottomedge of the body. In some circular or oval embodiments, the inner ledgemay extend continuously around the inner surface of the body to at leastwithin twenty percent of the circumference of the front of the body fromeach end of the hinge. In some rectangular or square embodiments, thebody may have rounded corners on inner and external surfaces of the bodyat junctions of the sides with the top and the bottom edge of the body.In some embodiments, an extension of the inner ledge into the channelmay be greater at a top edge of the body in the vicinity of the hinge,than at a remainder of the extension to provide a seal against insectintrusion in the vicinity of the hinge. In some embodiments, a bottomedge of the door may be beveled so that an external face of the bottomedge of the door is parallel to the channel when the door is in theclosed position. A transition from the bevel of the bottom edge to sideedges of the door may be tapered and extend along the edges of the doorto release the door from binding in the second aperture when the door ismoved from the closed position. In some embodiments the hinge mayinclude a cylindrical axle formed inside the channel and extendingbetween inner surfaces of ends of the ledge along an inner surface atthe top edge of the body, and a partial cylindrical knuckle formed onthe door that detachably accepts the cylindrical axle through an openradial sector of the partial cylindrical knuckle to complete the hinge.In some embodiments, the partial cylindrical knuckle may be attached tothe door by an arm that displaces the top edge door forward from thecylindrical axle, so that the hinge is recessed within the channel. Insome embodiments, the arm may connect to a back surface of the door at abevel formed in the back surface of the door, so that the arm isinclined at an obtuse angle with respect to a front surface of the door,and so that debris does not accumulate at the hinge. In someembodiments, a depth of the inner ledge may extend to form a stop forcontacting the end of the downspout, so that a cross section of thechannel is continuous from the stop to an external face of the innerledge.

While the disclosure has shown and described particular embodiments ofthe techniques disclosed herein, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that the foregoing and other changes in form, and details maybe made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of thedisclosure. For example, the techniques shown above may be applied indownspout covers that are mounted underground.

What is claimed is:
 1. A downspout end cover for protecting and closinga lower end of a rain gutter downspout assembly, the downspout end covercomprising: a body having a circular or oval cross-sectional profilethat forms a continuous hollow channel for passage of collectedrainwater, wherein a back of the body forms a first aperture sized tofit a cross-section profile of an end of a cylindrical downspout and thefront of the body forms a second aperture to permit exit of collectedrainwater, wherein the front of the body that forms a front of thesecond aperture is sloped at an acute angle with respect to a bottom ofthe continuous hollow channel and extends from a bottom to a top edge ofthe body, so that a first length of the body at the top edge of the bodyis less than a second length of the body at the bottom edge of the body;a door rotatably attached to the front of the body at a top of the frontof the body by a hinge, so that in a closed position, the door preventsentry of insects or blown debris and opens under a force of weight fromthe collected rainwater to permit exit of the collected rainwater; andan inner ledge formed on an inner surface of the body at the front ofthe body and forming an extension into the channel that is inclined atthe acute angle, wherein the inner ledge extends continuously around theinner surface of the body across the bottom and upward around at least aportion of a perimeter of the second aperture, so that an interior faceof the door rests against a front face of the inner ledge around theinner surface of the body when the door is in the closed position andforms a seal with the front face of the inner ledge to seal thedownspout end cover against entry of insects, wherein the inner ledge isinset from a front edge of the second aperture by at least a thicknessof the door, so that an exterior face of the door does not protrudebeyond the front of the body and so that the door is recessed within thesecond aperture to protect the door from being damaged or detached fromthe body.
 2. The downspout end cover of claim 1, wherein the front ofthe body is sloped at an angle of between 52.5 and 57.2 degreesextending from the bottom to the top.
 3. The downspout of claim 1,wherein the inner ledge extends continuously around the inner surface ofthe body to at least within twenty percent of the circumference of thefront of the body from each end of the hinge.
 4. The downspout end coverof claim 3, wherein an extension of the inner ledge into the channel oneach end of the hinge is greater than at a remainder of the extension,to provide a seal against insect intrusion in the vicinity of the hingeby contact between the interior face of the door and an extended frontface of the inner ledge.
 5. The downspout end cover of claim 4, whereina bottom edge of the door is beveled so that an external face of thebottom edge of the door is parallel to the channel when the door is inthe closed position, and wherein a transition from the bevel of thebottom edge of the door is tapered and extends along the edge of thedoor to release the door from binding at a bottom of the second aperturewhen the door is moved from the closed position.
 6. The downspout endcover of claim 1, wherein the hinge comprises: a cylindrical axle formedinside the channel and extending between inner surfaces of ends of theledge along an inner surface along the top edge of the body; and apartial cylindrical knuckle formed on the door that detachably acceptsthe cylindrical axle through an open radial sector of the partialcylindrical knuckle to complete the hinge, wherein the partialcylindrical knuckle is attached to the door by an arm that displaces thetop edge door forward from the cylindrical axle, so that the hinge isrecessed within the channel, and wherein the arm connects to a backsurface of the door at a bevel formed in the back surface of the door,so that the arm is inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to a frontsurface of the door, so that debris does not accumulate at the hinge. 7.A method of protecting and closing a lower end of a rain gutterdownspout assembly, the method comprising: attaching a downspout endcover to the lower end of the rain gutter downspout assembly, whereinthe downspout end cover is provided by a body having a circular or ovalcross-sectional profile that forms a continuous hollow channel forpassage of collected rainwater, wherein a back of the body forms a firstaperture sized to fit a cross-section profile of an end of a cylindricaldownspout and the front of the body forms a second aperture to permitexit of collected rainwater, wherein the front of the body forming afront of the second aperture is sloped at an acute angle with respect toa bottom of the continuous hollow channel and extends from a bottom to atop edge of the body, so that a first length of the body at the top edgeof the body is less than a second length of the body at the bottom edgeof the body; rotatably attaching a door to the front of the body of thedownspout end cover at a top of the front of the body by a hinge, sothat in a closed position, the door prevents entry of insects or blowndebris and opens under a force of weight from the collected rainwater topermit exit of the collected rainwater; and providing an inner ledgeformed on an inner surface of the body of the downspout end cover at thefront of the body and forming an extension into the channel that isinclined at the acute angle, wherein the inner ledge extendscontinuously around the inner surface of the body from the bottom edgeof the body and around at least a portion of a perimeter of the secondaperture, so that an interior face of the door rests against a frontface of the inner ledge around the inner surface of the body when thedoor is in the closed position and forms a seal with the front face ofthe inner ledge when the door is in the closed position to seal thedownspout end cover against entry of insects, wherein the inner ledge isinset from a front edge of the second aperture by at least a thicknessof the door, so that an exterior face of the door does not protrudebeyond the front of the body and so that the door is recessed within thesecond aperture to protect the door from being damaged or detached fromthe body.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the front of the body of thedownspout end cover is sloped at an angle of between 52.5 and 57.2degrees extending from the bottom edge of the body to the top edge ofthe body, so that the attaching locates the front of the bodyperpendicular to ground when a downspout elbow having a 105 degreeradius bend is attached between and end of a downspout and the downspoutend cover.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the inner ledge extendscontinuously around the inner surface of the body to at least withintwenty percent of the circumference of the front of the body from eachend of the hinge.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprisingpreventing insect intrusion by providing that an extension of the innerledge into the channel in regions adjacent to the hinge at the top edgeof the body is greater than at a remainder of the extension, to providea seal against insect intrusion in the vicinity of the hinge by contactbetween the interior face of the door and an extended front face of theinner ledge.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising preventingbinding of the door in the second aperture when the door is moved fromthe closed position by the attaching a door having a bottom edge that isbeveled so that an external face of the bottom edge of the door isparallel to the channel when the door is in the closed position, andwherein a transition from the bevel of the bottom of the door the dooris tapered and extends along the edge of the door.
 12. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the rotatably attaching attaches a partial cylindricalknuckle formed on the door that detachably accepts a cylindrical axlethrough an open radial sector of the partial cylindrical knuckle tocomplete the hinge and providing the cylindrical axle formed inside thechannel and extending between inner surfaces of ends of the ledge alongan inner surface at a top edge of the body, wherein the method furthercomprises: recessing the hinge within the channel by providing an armthat attaches the partial cylindrical knuckle to the door, so that thearm displaces the top edge door forward from the cylindrical axle; andpreventing accumulation of debris at the hinge by providing that the armconnects to a back surface of the door at a bevel formed in the backsurface of the door, so that the arm is inclined at an obtuse angle withrespect to a front surface of the door.
 13. A downspout end cover forprotecting and closing a lower end of a rain gutter downspout assembly,the downspout end cover comprising: a body having a circular or ovalcross-sectional profile that forms a continuous hollow channel forpassage of collected rainwater, wherein a back of the body forms a firstaperture sized to fit a cross-section profile of an end of a cylindricaldownspout and the front of the body forms a second aperture to permitexit of collected rainwater, wherein the front of the body that forms afront of the second aperture is sloped at an acute angle with respect toa bottom of the continuous hollow channel and extends from a bottom to atop edge of the body, so that a first length of the body at the top edgeof the body is less than a second length of the body at the bottom edgeof the body; a door rotatably attached to the front of the body at a topof the front of the body by a hinge, so that in a closed position, thedoor prevents entry of insects or blown debris and opens under a forceof weight from the collected rainwater to permit exit of the collectedrainwater; and an inner ledge formed on an inner surface of the body atfront of the body and forming an extension into the channel in adirection parallel to the door when the door is in the closed position,wherein the inner ledge is inset from a front edge of the secondaperture by at least a thickness of the door, so that the door restsagainst the inner ledge when the door is in the closed position to sealthe downspout end cover against entry of insects and the door isrecessed within the second aperture to protect the door from beingdamaged or detached from the body, wherein the hinge comprises acylindrical axle formed inside the channel and extending between innersurfaces of ends of the ledge along an inner surface of the body at thetop edge of the body and a partial cylindrical knuckle formed on thedoor that detachably accepts the cylindrical axle through an open radialsector of the partial cylindrical knuckle to complete the hinge, whereinthe partial cylindrical knuckle is attached to the door by an arm thatdisplaces the top edge door forward from the cylindrical axle, so thatthe hinge is recessed within the channel, and wherein the arm connectsto a back surface of the door at a bevel formed in the back surface ofthe door, so that the arm is inclined at an obtuse angle with respect toa front surface of the door, so that debris does not accumulate at thehinge.
 14. The downspout end cover of claim 13, wherein the front of thebody is sloped at an angle of between 52.5 and 57.2 degrees extendingfrom the bottom to the top.
 15. The downspout end cover of claim 14,wherein a bottom edge of the door is beveled so that an external face ofthe bottom edge of the door is parallel to the channel when the door isin the closed position, and wherein a transition from the bevel of thebottom edge to side edges of the door is tapered and extends along theside edges of the door to release the door from binding in the roundedcorners of the second aperture when the door is moved from the closedposition.
 16. The downspout end cover of claim 15, wherein an extensionof the inner ledge into the channel in regions adjacent to hinge at thetop edge of the body is greater than at a remainder of the extension, toprovide a seal against insect intrusion in the vicinity of the hinge bycontact between the interior face of the door and an extended front faceof the inner ledge.
 17. A method of protecting and closing a lower endof a rain gutter downspout assembly, the method comprising: attaching adownspout end cover to the lower end of the rain gutter downspoutassembly, wherein the downspout end cover is provided by a body having acircular or oval cross-sectional profile that forms a continuous hollowchannel for passage of collected rainwater, wherein a back of the bodyforms a first aperture sized to fit a cross-section profile of an end ofa cylindrical downspout and the front of the body forms a secondaperture to permit exit of collected rainwater, wherein the front of thebody forming a front of the second aperture is sloped at an acute anglewith respect to a bottom of the continuous hollow channel and extendsfrom a bottom to a top edge of the body, so that a first length of thebody at the top edge of the body is less than a second length of thebody at the bottom edge of the body; rotatably attaching a door to thefront of the body of the downspout end cover at a top of the front ofthe body by a hinge, so that in a closed position, the door preventsentry of insects or blown debris and opens under a force of weight fromthe collected rainwater to permit exit of the collected rainwater; andproviding an inner ledge formed on an inner surface of the body of thedownspout end cover at front of the body and forming an extension intothe channel in a direction parallel to the door when the door is in theclosed position, wherein the inner ledge is inset from a front edge ofthe second aperture by at least a thickness of the door, so that thedoor rests against the inner ledge when the door is in the closedposition to seal the downspout end cover against entry of insects andthe door is recessed within the second aperture to protect the door frombeing damaged or detached from the body, wherein the rotatably attachingattaches a partial cylindrical knuckle formed on the door thatdetachably accepts a cylindrical axle through an open radial sector ofthe partial cylindrical knuckle to complete the hinge and providing thecylindrical axle formed inside the channel and extending between innersurfaces of ends of the ledge along an inner surface of the top edge ofthe body; recessing the hinge within the channel by providing an armthat attaches the partial cylindrical knuckle to the door, so that thearm displaces the top edge door forward from the cylindrical axle; andpreventing accumulation of debris at the hinge by providing that the armconnects to a back surface of the door at a bevel formed in the backsurface of the door, so that the arm is inclined at an obtuse angle withrespect to a front surface of the door.
 18. The method of claim 17,wherein the front of the body of the downspout end cover is sloped at anangle of between 52.5 and 57.2 degrees extending from the bottom edge ofthe body to the top edge of the body, so that the attaching locates thefront of the body perpendicular to ground when a downspout elbow havinga 105 degree radius bend is attached between and end of a downspout andthe downspout end cover.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprisingpreventing insect intrusion by providing that an extension of the innerledge into the channel at the top edge of the body is greater than at aremainder of the extension, to provide a seal against insect intrusionin the vicinity of the hinge.
 20. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising preventing binding of the door in the rounded corners of thesecond aperture when the door is moved from the closed position byattaching a door having a bottom edge that is beveled so that anexternal face of the bottom edge of the door is parallel to the channelwhen the door is in the closed position, and wherein a transition fromthe bevel of the bottom edge to side edges of the door is tapered andextends along the side edges of the door.